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Martínez Takes a Step in the Right Direction

Pedro Martínez took another step closer to throwing in a minor league game, tossing about 65 pitches yesterday against batters at the Mets’ training complex in Port St. Lucie, Fla.

Martínez threw all of his pitches, General Manager Omar Minaya said. Minaya would not speculate where Martínez would go next, adding that the Mets would evaluate their options after seeing how Martínez felt in a few days. The Mets could have him throw against batters again or advance him to the minors. In any case, those who saw Martínez pitch said he looked good.

“All the people I spoke to said he looked great,” Manager Willie Randolph said.

Martínez had rotator-cuff surgery on his right shoulder in October and missed the playoffs. The Mets have been in first place for most of the season, although Martínez would certainly give them a boost if he were able to regain his form in a timely fashion. Martínez was 9-8 with a 4.48 earned run average last season.

Minaya has said several times recently that Martínez, who threw about four innings yesterday, was already ahead of schedule.

“Just look at the list of guys that have had that surgery at the same time and where they are,” Minaya said. “It’s very encouraging to see where he is right now.”

Randolph also sounded excited about the possibility of Martínez rejoining the Mets in the near future.

“Very encouraging, very positive stuff,” Randolph said.

ALOU IS BACK When the Mets began their series opener against the Washington Nationals last night, a familiar face was in left field and batting fifth in the lineup: Moises Alou.

Alou had been out since May 12, when he sustained a quadriceps injury that was initially deemed minor but lingered for more than two months. He was set to return Tuesday against the Pittsburgh Pirates, but those plans were scrapped at the last minute because he injured his shoulder.

Before last night’s game, Alou said he was not feeling any pain in his shoulder. He said he first felt irritation in the shoulder while batting in a rehabilitation assignment for the Class A Brooklyn Cyclones on Sunday.

“I couldn’t really throw the last couple of days without pain,” he said. “It wasn’t pain that was killing me but it was something that I didn’t want to go out there and reinjure myself and miss I don’t know how long. So I have to make sure I was healthy enough.”

Asked about his left quadriceps, Alou said, “I’ve kind of forgotten about that,” although he acknowledged that his biggest challenge would be brushing off the rust.

To make room for Alou on the roster, the Mets designated catcher Sandy Alomar Jr. for assignment, leaving them with two catchers.

The Mets made another roster move before the game, recalling the right-handed reliever Jon Adkins from Class AAA New Orleans to replace Joe Smith, who was demoted after Thursday’s game.

Adkins went 1-3 with 4 saves and a 3.83 earned run average for New Orleans this season.

Alou has struggled to stay healthy the past few years. But when he has played, he has usually had good results. The right-handed-hitting Alou was batting .318 with 2 home runs and 13 runs batted in during 30 games this season.

A handful of players filled in for Alou during his absence, including Endy Chávez and Carlos Gómez, who are both on the disabled list. Lastings Milledge had been the latest replacement for Alou. But during the past three games, Milledge replaced Carlos Beltrán in center field. Beltrán injured an abdominal muscle during batting practice before Wednesday’s game against the Pirates.

Omar Minaya said he remained hopeful that Beltrán would not have to go on the disabled list.

“We’ll wait to see how he responds during the next couple days,” Minaya said.

Minaya added that the Mets would proceed cautiously with Beltrán, who is listed as day to day.

The Mets will also take a cautious approach with Alou and closely monitor his progress.

“It’s easier said than done with Mo because he goes hard every time,” Willie Randolph said of Alou. “Hopefully he can ease his way into total playing shape.”

A version of this article appears in print on , on page D5 of the New York edition with the headline: Martínez Takes a Step In the Right Direction. Order Reprints|Today's Paper|Subscribe